Frequently asked questions and timelines
Gros Morne National Park
As part of efforts to share information and updates regarding the Western Brook Pond project, Parks Canada team members have compiled a set of “Frequently Asked Questions” based on queries received from local residents, stakeholders and the general public. Additionally, a “Timeline” has been created to trace the evolution of the trail from its beginnings to present-day, providing insight into the origins of the infrastructure project at Western Brook Pond. Parks Canada appreciates the interest expressed by the public in our work and encourages you to visit this page often, as updates will be added here as they become available. We also invite you to continue sending us your questions so that we can provide clear and accurate information about all aspects of this project.
Origins of the Western Brook Pond project
TIMELINE
1973
Hunters, anglers and adventurers had already been visiting Western Brook Pond for decades when Gros Morne National Park was established in 1973. In fact, the appeal of Western Brook Pond was one of the reasons given by early proponents for a national park in western Newfoundland.
1970s
The first boat tour, using small open boats, began operating at Western Brook Pond in the mid-1970s. Visitors followed the same narrow footpath that locals used to fish and pick berries to access the tour.
1980s
As visitation to park increased, so did the popularity of the Western Brook Pond boat tour. A temporary ticket booth and rest areas were added to the site. While a few hundred people were participating in the boat tour in the early 1980s, this number had increased to around 7000-8000 by the end of the decade.
1987
Gros Morne National Park was inscribed on the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List due to its remarkable variety of geologic features illustrating massive movements of the earth’s crust and its beautiful landscape encompassing the cliffs of the Long Range Mountains, deep freshwater fjords and sweeping coastal lowlands.
1990s
During this decade, visitation at Western Brook Pond went from approximately 8000 visitors per year to almost 25,000 in 1999.
1992-93
The growing popularity of the boat tour led to the construction of a proper dockside facility with new wharf and waiting area. The trail to the pond was widened and boardwalks added.
2000s
Boat tour attendance remained steady at around 24,000 visits. Parks Canada staff began discussing the capacity of the Western Brook Pond trail, facilities, and boat tour in anticipation of increased visitation. Complaints about the condition of the trail due to persistent flooding and failing boardwalks, as well as issues related to accessibility were becoming more common.
2012
Concern about the deteriorating condition of its assets led Parks Canada to undertake a national asset review of built infrastructure with the goal of prioritizing assets requiring investment. Due to the condition of its infrastructure and its importance to Gros Morne National Park’s visitor experience offer, Western Brook Pond was identified as a high priority.
2013-15
Parks Canada considers ways that Western Brook Pond could increase revenues to be reinvested in Gros Morne’s aging infrastructure, as part of an Agency-wide exercise. Teams across the country are challenged to offer new ideas to increase revenues for national parks and historic sites. In this context, a strategy is proposed for Western Brook Pond that includes the possibility of shuttle buses, however those ideas are ruled out because of their potential environmental and aesthetic impacts.
In 2015, Parks Canada places in Western Newfoundland and Labrador receive approximately $140 million in funding through the Federal Infrastructure Investment Program. A portion of these funds are allocated to address the long-standing issues related to the condition of the Western Brook Pond trail.
2016
With funding in place, decisions on the project design for the Western Brook Pond trail are made in keeping with Parks Canada’s commitment to protecting the environment as a primary focus. The trail is designed to be safe, sustainable and accessible, and environmental gains are incorporated into the project. The design of the trail does not accommodate large shuttle buses and no consideration is given to expanding the boat tour or further development at Western Brook Pond. Project start-up activities began and the project funding was announced.
2017
Information about the infrastructure projects, including Western Brook Pond, was publicly shared, while project planning and research continued during this time. Later the same year, the construction contract was tendered and work on the project began.
2018
Phase 1 of the project comes to completion, work pauses for the visitor season, followed by start-up of phase 2 in the fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
TRAIL EVOLUTION AND VISION
What is the vision for Western Brook Pond trail?
Parks Canada’s goal for the multi-year Western Brook Pond (WBP) project is to ensure the trail is safe, sustainable and accessible, while protecting the surrounding environment and offering high-quality, meaningful experiences to visitors.
Through the WBP project, Parks Canada will address the deteriorating condition of the trail and make it sustainable; better accommodate the level of pedestrian traffic; create additional opportunities for visitors (e.g., biking ); facilitate access for those with mobility issues; ensure a safe route for the transport of supplies; and, provide for improved emergency response times and services
Why is this project happening?
In 2012, Parks Canada conducted a National Asset Review - an assessment of its assets across the country to evaluate their overall condition and long-term sustainability. As part of this review, it was determined that Western Brook Pond trail required investment because it was in deteriorating condition, not able to handle the current level of visitation, nor ensure the safe transport of fuel and other supplies for the boat tour.
As announced in 2015, through the Federal Investment Infrastructure Program, Gros Morne National Park received the necessary funding to improve the trail, so that it would be safe, sustainable and accessible, and meet present and future needs of the boat tour.
The previous trail didn’t seem to be that bad. Why was it deemed to be in a condition that required this level of work?
Over the past decade, Parks Canada has dedicated a significant amount of staff time and effort to manage flooding, erosion and the overall deteriorating condition of Western Brook Pond trail. More time was spent dealing with issues on the Western Brook Pond trail than all other trails in the park combined. This was not sustainable.
The ongoing efforts of our crews to keep the Western Brook Pond trail in usable condition were at the detriment of the other trails in the park, creating a ripple-effect of maintenance challenges for these other important visitor areas.
PROJECT UPDATES
What work is taking place in the area of Western Brook Pond this winter?
Parks Canada is working on reconstruction of the wharf, which is an integral part of the dockside facility for the boat tour that was determined to have less than 5 years of service-life remaining. In addition, there will be a modest increase in the size of the boathouse, and its roof and siding will be replaced. There will be limited removal of sediment along the channel to the boathouse to ensure safe and reliable access for vessels for their winter storage.
This spring, when weather permits, the surface of the Western Brook Pond trail will be finished to create a smooth, compact gravel tread that is safer and more accessible. These elements will be complete in time for the opening of our 2019 visitor season.
At the same time, we are actively working on plans for re-vegetation and the addition of interpretive features that will be installed along the trail as we move forward, such as rest areas and viewpoints. A vegetation plan is being developed with input from internal and external experts, as is a visitor experience plan for the area. This work will occur over the coming seasons as we continue to enhance the visitor experience along the trail.
Why are you only doing work in the winter? Could work not take place year-round to finish the project faster?
Visitor safety and protection of the sensitive bog environment are the main reasons for this work being done in the winter. Of utmost importance is our need to minimize impact on the ecology of this unique bog environment. The winter months, when the ground is frozen and the snow is hard-packed, provide a window of opportunity for moving construction equipment into the pond area so the bog is not impacted. Additionally, work during the winter helps us to avoid disturbing things like nesting songbirds and salmon runs. Additionally, the safety of our visitors is paramount at all Parks Canada places. With Western Brook Pond being such a popular destination, we simply cannot have construction equipment and unfinished areas on the trail posing safety hazards to our visitors during the operational season.
What can the public expect to see when it reopens in the spring?
The project at Western Brook Pond will improve the safety and experience for visitors in a number of ways. Here is what you can expect for visitor area improvements during your 2019 visit:
Vegetation restoration along the trail will occur as we move forward. Rest areas, interpretive elements and viewpoints will also be added to improve the overall experience for our visitors.
Here are draft design drawings (coming soon) that will give a general sense of how the future trail will look upon completion of all vegetation restoration and interpretive components.
Why only finish the surface of the trail for this coming season? Why could it not be done last year to improve accessibility sooner?
With this being a multi-year project, our aim was to ensure minimal disruption for visitors during the operational seasons. Efforts last year focused on upgrading and improving the trail bed, bringing it to an almost finished state that was still suitable for visitors to enjoy the Western Brook Pond experience during the 2018 season. When the work currently underway on the wharf and boathouse is complete, we will move the equipment out and focus on finishing the surface of the trail. Leaving the trail unfinished has allowed us to readily move personnel and equipment into the pond before the final surface is completed on the trail.
Has it been designed as a road?
The new trail has not been built as a road from either an engineering or design perspective; rather it has been designed with long-term sustainability in mind. It has been widened to accommodate the level of visitation, to allow for the safe passage of small vehicles, such as utility vehicles or golf carts, in the event of a medical emergency and to facilitate the safe transport of fuel and supplies for the boat tour. Design components have also reduced grades and turns to support accessibility for visitors. Finally, a number of environmental gains have been achieved and, while requiring the trail to be wider, we were able to use construction methods deemed to have fewer ecological impacts, as explained in the following response.
How does the new trail design and construction help protect ecology?
Parks Canada has a rigorous project review and environmental impact analysis process. Together, these ensure all development proposals maintain or improve the park’s ecological integrity. These environmental mitigation's were part of over 40 identified as part of the environmental impact analysis for this project.
Here are a few examples of how we have mitigated potential environmental impacts and worked to protect this important area of the park:
This highlights how, through this project, Parks Canada sought a balance in effectively managing the level of visitation on Western Brook Pond trail, while mitigating potential impacts to both the environment.
How is the trail more accessible and have you worked with accessibility groups to ensure it meets their standards?
A number of years ago, Parks Canada, with assistance from outside experts, conducted an accessibility assessment of Western Brook Pond Trail. It was deemed unsuitable to be made wheelchair accessible due to its length, grades, turns and loose gravel surface. The recent trail work has provided an opportunity to address some of these issues by reducing grades and turns. Over the coming year, the trail surface will be finished with smooth, compact tread, to remove more of the impediments to accessibility.
In August 2018, staff evaluated several park facilities with the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities NL (COD-NL). During the visit, Parks Canada staff and representatives from COD-NL toured Western Brook Pond, identifying some of the challenges to and opportunities for improved access. We look forward to continuing to work with the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities NL, and others, to make Gros Morne National Park more inclusive.
Will large shuttle buses eventually be used to transport visitors back and forth on the trail?
Over the years, there have been many complaints, comments, and requests to increase the accessibility of this trail for visitors with mobility issues. The park has considered the feasibility of a shuttle service for this purpose and did engage a consultant to conduct initial exploratory research. Many options exist and have been presented to Parks Canada, from large buses to smaller, multi-passenger golf carts. The option of providing access for large buses has been ruled out and the trail has not been designed to accommodate them. Parks Canada may still consider the use of a small, environmentally-friendly shuttle (i.e. a multi-passenger golf cart) for the purpose of supporting those with mobility challenges. New, emerging devices, geared to support mobility for individual-use, may present future options as well.
It is important to note however that no decisions have been made on whether or not there would be a shuttle to support individuals with mobility challenges in to Western Brook Pond. As part of the consultations currently underway for the Gros Morne National Park management plan, Parks Canada is seeking public input on this idea. During phase I of the consultations held this past fall, a question was included, in both the public consultation sessions and the online survey, related to the idea of a shuttle service for the Western Brook Pond boat tour. Public input is currently being compiled into a ‘what we heard’ document that will be shared later this winter.
Given the majority of visitors to Gros Morne represent an older demographic (in 2015, more than 60% of visitors were over 55 and 28% over 65) and Western Brook Pond is a top destination, the accessibility and safety of the trail are of particular concern.
Is the purpose of this work to create new development and increase revenue generating opportunities at Western Brook Pond?
Parks Canada has heard concerns that the work at Western Brook Pond is being done to accommodate tour buses and enable the development of hotels and parking lots. This is not true.
Parks Canada has no intention of expanding the boat tours or building a hotel or parking lot on the shore of Western Brook Pond. There will also be no public access for personal vehicles on the trail. The trail has only been designed to safely accommodate light vehicles (e.g. ATV, side-by-side) for the purpose of the transportation of supplies for the boat tour or emergency medical evacuations. The concept of potentially introducing an environmentally-friendly, light vehicle shuttle service is being put forward for public input as part the management planning process.
In the past, Parks Canada has considered ways that Western Brook Pond could increase revenues that would be reinvested in aging infrastructure within the park, however that was only done as part of a larger Agency-wide exercise. As one of the largest federal custodians, Parks Canada manages billions of dollars in infrastructure assets, ranging from highways and bridges to historic buildings and campgrounds, all requiring investment. As such, Parks Canada has periodically challenged its teams across the country to ‘think outside-the-box’ and propose new ideas to increase revenues in support of the management of Parks Canada places. These ideas, often in the form of business cases, were purposely broad and novel, such as for Western Brook Pond.
Early in the planning for the Western Brook Pond trail project, options were proposed that would allow for more visitation, including the possibility of developing infrastructure to accommodate shuttle buses. However, in keeping with Parks Canada`s primary focus on ecological and cultural integrity, those ideas were ruled out because of their potential environmental and aesthetic impacts.
In 2015, Gros Morne National Park received funding through the Federal Investment Infrastructure Program to address the long-standing issues related to the condition of the Western Brook Pond trail, namely persistent flooding, a sinking boardwalk, accessibility, the level of pedestrian traffic and operational requirements for the boat tour. The goal of the final design and work being conducted on Western Brook Pond is to provide a safe, sustainable and accessible trail that respects and protects the surrounding environment.
How much has the visitation grown at Western Brook Pond?
Visitation to Western Brook Pond has grown significantly, with the number of people enjoying the boat tour increasing from 23,000 to 40,000 between 2013 and 2017; a trend reflected in other areas of the park and in the province as a whole, along with most Parks Canada places across the country. With the increase in visitation, the issues occurring along the trail became greater and more common.
Investments in new visitor infrastructure, and upgrades to existing infrastructure such as the Western Brook Pond Trail, will make Gros Morne National Park more accessible and continue to enable Canadians to discover and connect with nature.
Should we be worried about too many visitors?
In managing national parks, Parks Canada is mandated to maintain or restore ecological integrity, and provide Canadians with opportunities to discover and enjoy them. Parks Canada is a recognized leader in conservation and has been successfully delivering on this mandate, including at Western Brook Pond.
Parks Canada has no intention of expanding the boat tour or in further development at Western Brook Pond. Instead, we are striving to improve access to the site, while safeguarding ecological integrity and providing for a safe, high-quality visitor experience. Furthermore, the boat tours are governed by a maximum allowable capacity for passenger safety on their vessels and therefore would not accommodate any significant further growth.
As the country`s largest tourism provider, Parks Canada works with nearby communities to help grow local tourism and create jobs, directly supporting sustainable tourism in the region of Western Newfoundland. Tourism is important for our region, however managing it in a sustainable way is necessary.
Was the public involved or informed of this project before it started?
Parks Canada appreciates the recent conversations and questions surrounding the ongoing trail work in Gros Morne National Park. Public engagement is a priority for Parks Canada. Input from local communities, Indigenous Peoples, stakeholders and visitors helps inform decision-making on these types of projects.
Parks Canada provided information, maps and construction drawings on the Western Brook Pond project, at open houses in May and June 2017 and on our website, in community newsletters, via e-blasts, and through the media, as well as in additional meetings with community mayors. We are continuing with this information-sharing, with the recent issue of a newsletter addressing the Western Brook Pond project, as well as with the creation of this Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) and other new information on our public website.
How is Parks Canada ensuring the public, key partners and stakeholders have an opportunity to provide input into the future of Western Brook Pond trail?
We recognize that community members and visitors are passionate about their national parks. With the current management planning process underway for Gros Morne National Park, Parks Canada provided the opportunity for public discussion and input on all aspects of the park in December, including Western Brook Pond, during the first phase of consultation. There will be additional public engagement opportunities later this winter when the second phase of management planning occurs.
More information on management planning for the park can be found here. We encourage you to take part in this important and exciting process, as we Build a Vision for the Future of Gros Morne National Park.
Also, as part of the management planning process, Parks Canada will engage experts and stakeholders in an Area Management Workshop in the winter of 2019. This workshop will focus on what future experiences will look like for iconic locations such as Western Brook Pond, the Tablelands and Trout River Pond.
We will also begin development of a Trail Concept Plan for Gros Morne National Park. Again, this plan will be designed with the help of experts and stakeholders to look at best practices for hiking, mountain biking and trail running experiences within the park.
How can people stay informed?
Later this winter, Parks Canada will be completing the second round of public consultation for the Gros Morne National Park management plan. At that time, a variety of opportunities will be provided for public input on the draft management plan, including matters related to Western Brook Pond. Information and updates on these opportunities will be shared on the Parks Canada website and the Gros Morne National Park Facebook page.
As mentioned above, in late January, Parks Canada is inviting key partners and stakeholders to provide their ideas and perspectives at the Area Management Workshop to discuss the future management of two areas of Gros Morne National Park; the Western Brook Pond Watershed and the Tablelands/Trout River Pond area. The input received will help guide decision-making in these two areas that have significant natural and cultural resource values, growing visitation and high public interest.
Information specific to the Western Brook Pond project will continue to be shared publicly through a project update newsletter. The first project update was shared in October 2018 and the second project update was shared in January 2019. Web content will also be updated as the project moves forward and, as updates occur, we will use our social media channels to highlight that new information is available. Additionally, if you have any questions, please contact us by phone at 709-458-2417 or send an email to grosmorne.info@canada.ca.
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